Calculate the oxidation number of the chlorine in perchloric acid, HClO₄, a strong oxidizing agent.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In perchloric acid (HClO4), the oxidation state of oxygen is always -2 unless it is bonded to fluorine. The overall charge of the molecule is 0, so the sum of the oxidation states of each element must equal 0. Therefore, we can set up the equation:

(+1) + x + 4(-2) = 0

where x is the oxidation state of chlorine (+1 because hydrogen is always +1 in compounds). Solving for x, we get:

x = +7

Therefore, the oxidation state of chlorine in perchloric acid is +7. Since chlorine is in the highest possible oxidation state, perchloric acid is a strong oxidizing agent.

Calculate the Oxidation Number of the Chlorine in Perchloric Acid